A 40-year-old woman from Adelaide’s north-eastern suburbs and her then partner are facing 20 charges of ill treatment of an animal in relation to more than 60 animals, including 17 cats and a mix of rabbits, pigeons, cockatoos, lorikeets, corellas, magpies, galahs, possums, a water dragon lizard, puppies, canaries, a duck and an owl. All were allegedly being kept in unsanitary and squalid conditions. Both defendants are due to face the Elizabeth Magistrates Court this month.
A Whyalla man is facing a charge of animal ill-treatment in relation to a dog found underweight and tethered to a clothesline, with no shelter or water. The two-year-old dog was forfeited under court order and has been adopted.
A 28-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man are due to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with alleged failure to adequately feed a nine-year-old mastiff cross dog, found in emaciated condition. They are also charged with alleged failure to provide appropriate and adequate living conditions to 16 cats, found living in squalid and unsanitary conditions at a property in Kilburn. Most of the animals have been surrendered and rehomed. A dog and two cats remain in protective custody with RSPCA SA.
A woman is due to face two charges in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court, one of breaching an order prohibiting animal ownership and another of hindering an inspector in the course of their duty. The defendant is subject to a prohibition order to not have any cats in her care as a result of animal cruelty convictions in 2015.
A couple in their 40s is due to face the Christies Beach Magistrates Court to face two counts of ill-treatment of an animal in relation to two dogs, found in emaciated condition. Both dogs were surrendered to RSPCA inspectors and have been rehomed. Their adult teenage son is a co-accused in relation to the care of one of the dogs. The couple is also accused of breaching a 12-month suspended sentence bond ordered in October 2021, after they were convicted for failing to provide sufficient food to two other dogs in their care that were also found in emaciated condition in 2020. Those two dogs were also rehomed. Part of the 2021 sentence was a court order prohibiting them from acquiring or having custody of any animals until further order, which they are now accused of breaching.
A 27-year-old woman is due to appear in the Mt Gambier Magistrates Court to face two counts of ill-treatment of an animal in relation to two dogs found in emaciated condition at a Mt Gambier property.
A 28-year-old woman is due to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court to face charges of alleged ill-treatment of three horses, found in emaciated condition on a property north of Adelaide. The horses remain in protective custody with RSPCA SA.
The second defendant in a case in which a one-year-old dog was found deceased at a northern suburbs property is due to face the Elizabeth Magistrates Court following her arrest under warrant. The 30-year-old woman was jointly charged with failure to take reasonable steps to mitigate harm to the dog, whose body was in emaciated condition. The woman’s former partner pleaded guilty and was convicted and sentenced in February 2022 to a period of one month and six days, suspended on a three-year good behaviour bond.
A 43-year old woman and her two adult daughters are facing eight counts of ill-treatment of animals in relation to two dogs and six cats found living in squalid conditions inside a house in the southern suburbs. One dog was found emaciated, tethered to a bed and suffering medical conditions requiring immediate veterinary attention. A cat in emaciated condition was found confined to a small cage, while other cats were found tethered to furniture. It is alleged that none of the animals had access to food or water. The case is due to be heard in the Christies Beach Magistrates court this month. Five of the cats have been rehomed, with the remaining two dogs and one cat in protective custody with RSPCA SA.
A 47-year-old man is due to appear in Pt Pirie Magistrates Court charged with ill-treatment of an animal in relation to the discovery of a deceased Siberian Husky dog inside a wheelie bin.
A 46-year-old woman and her 48-year-old partner are due to face the Berri Magistrates court on charges of animal ill-treatment in relation to three dogs and six puppies being allegedly kept in squalid conditions inside a small, disused toilet block in Coonalpyn. The defendant is also charged with breaching a 2018 court order that prohibited her from acquiring more cats and with a further ten counts of animal ill-treatment for keeping cats in a filthy enclosure with so little food and water that four died. The survivors were so hungry they had begun to cannibalise the bodies of the deceased. The further alleged offending occurred whilst the defendant was on bail for the offences relating to the dogs. All surviving animals have been rehomed except one kitten that was euthanased on humane grounds due to a medical condition with a poor prognosis.
Under SA’s Animal Welfare Act, the maximum penalty for animal cruelty is $20,000 or two years’ imprisonment. For an aggravated cruelty offence, the maximum penalty is $50,000 or four years’ imprisonment.
RSPCA South Australia is the state’s only animal welfare charity with inspectors empowered to prosecute animal cruelty under SA’s Animal Welfare Act.
Members of the public who witness animal cruelty or neglect are urged to immediately call RSPCA’s 24-hour cruelty report hotline on 1300 477 722.
